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She said: “What we want to do is prevent people from putting their foot down, put deterrents in place to make a change.

“It’s not the road itself that’s dangerous, it’s the drivers. I could be going down there at 30 or 40 mph, which is what I normally do anyway. But all it takes is one person to think it will never happen to them, or that they can drive well at high speeds, to lose control for a split second and take us both out.

“I think over the years, especially when the road went from two lanes to one, people are very heavy footed. Now it’s one lane, I think it irritates people and because that lane was there and now it’s gone, people now tend to be right on your bumper.”

Ms Hardman, who has shared the petition far and wide on social media to encourage others to take a stand with her, said that she has received a number of comments from people who have lost friends or family members in collisions on the A39.

Floral tributes at the scene of a double fatal road traffic accident on the A39 at Stickenbridge. (Image: Sally Adams)

“Lots of people have written comments saying their family members have died on that road,” she added.

“Each accident impacts family, friends, the community and the emergency services.

“[It has been] dubbed as 'a death road'.

“People want something to be done and a lot of people wish it had been done sooner.

“I don’t know how many people have been killed on that road, but I know it’s high.”

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The mum said that each time she drives along the road she fears she is “taking my life in my hands” and believes that she is not the only one that feels that way.

Ms Hardman said: “I [was inspired to start the petition] because of just how scared I am driving that road all the time; to go into Truro, to see my family, my mum, my dad, my sister, my brother. I live in the Falmouth area, so I have to use that road all the time, I literally hold my breath travelling along there. I hate it. I don’t think I’m the only one.

“I’m just trying my best to do something about this road and raise a bit of awareness.

“I just hope to make some sort of difference.”

The scene of December's crash on the A39 where one teenager died and another was left seriously injured (Image: Sally Adams)

Cornwall Council said that it had already completed a number of works at the road, including a speed reading.

A council spokesperson said: “Cornwall Council as the highways authority takes road safety very seriously, and constantly monitors road safety throughout Cornwall. Along with the police we investigate serious collisions in detail.

“These often involve complex circumstances different from most drivers’ behaviour, and are not always a guide to appropriate action. There are also formal national criteria to ensure that speed limits are set appropriately and these take into account the accident record.

“Speed readings from October 2016 showed that from the 300,000 vehicles measured, average speed was less than 50mph at Barras Moor (the former three-lane section) and less than 40mph at Stickenbridge.”

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The council added that it believed an average speed camera was “unlikely to have any effect”.

It said: “Following the improvement work, including the removal of the middle lane, speed has reduced significantly and there is good compliance with the limits. On average 26,000 drivers use this road every day, and as drivers are not generally speeding an average speed camera is unlikely to have any effect.

“We are still investigating the full circumstances of the recent tragic collision and if necessary appropriate action will be considered.”

But Ms Hardman believes that average speed cameras would make the difference and could even help to save lives.

As well as encouraging people to sign the petition she is also asking them use the hash tag #A39SaveLives to share their thoughts and experiences.